Amedeo Modigliani

"What I am seeking is not the real and not the unreal but rather the unconscious, the mystery of the instinctive in the human race." Amedeo Modigliani

Reclining Nude 1919. Museum of Modern Art, New York

Amedeo Modigliani, one of the most important artists in this world (and my favorite artist), was born on June 12, 1884, in Livorno, Italy. His works were to become some of the most beautiful artworks of the 20th century. Modi, who was not very lucky with his living conditions and experiences, passed away from tuberculosis when he was only 35 years old. His wife, Jeanne Hébuterne, committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of her house while she was pregnant, one day after her husband's death.

Amedeo Modigliani by an unknown photographer

Modigliani's journey as an artist began under the mentorship of Guglielmo Micheli, a Livorno-based painter. Later, he studied at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, where he developed a deep appreciation for Italian Renaissance art. He also spent some time in Rome, Naples, and Capri when he was only 16. His enthusiasm for Rome was boundless: "...As I speak to you, Rome is not outside but inside me, like a terrible jewel set upon its seven hills as upon seven imperious ideas. Rome is the orchestration which girds me, the circumscribed arena in which I isolate myself and concentrate my thoughts. Her feverish sweetness, her tragic countryside, her own beauty and harmony, all these are mine, for my thought and my work," as he wrote in one of his letters to art student and friend Oscar Ghiglia.

Female nude with Hat, 1908 by Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920, Italy) | WahooArt.com

Modigliani arrived in Paris some years before WW1. While many art dealers in the city were looking for young talents, Modi ("accursed painter") was the representative of Bohemian Montmartre. With his ability in portrait painting, beautiful lines, and the pale yet brilliant colors he utilized, he began to gain the attention of Parisian high society. With the inspiration he acquired from Italy, he was able to become a highly successful sculptor along with being a painter. The extended shape of the neck, the almond-shaped eyes, and the long faces serve as a distinctive visual signature, making his works instantly recognizable. With the unifying power of art, Modigliani began to be friends with important artists of the time, Picasso and Andre Salmon. Especially with Picasso, their friendship was marked by mutual respect, artistic interchange, and the occasional competition.

Amedeo Modigliani, Jeanne Hébuterne 1919 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Endless Love

Amedeo Modigliani's connection with Jeanne Hébuterne influenced both his personal life and his creative career. Jeanne, a teenage art student, became Modigliani's inspiration and love, affecting every aspect of their related lives and leaving a lasting impression on his work. Jeanne, a talented artist herself, became the subject of many of Modigliani's paintings and drawings. Modigliani and Jeanne's legacy lives on through their paintings and the heartbreaking story of their lives. The story of Modigliani and Jeanne has captured the imagination of art enthusiasts, writers, and filmmakers, contributing to the enduring fascination with their lives and the Bohemian spirit of early 20th-century Paris.

I suggest checking out Mick Davis' 2004 film "Modigliani" to have a deeper understanding of Modigliani and his life.